Collapsible golf cart



Man}! 15, 1948. H. R. SUTPHEN 2,438,078

' COLLAPSIBLE GOLF CART Filed Aug. 14, 1944 4 Sheets-Shea l INVENTOR.

March 16, 1948. T N 2,438,078

COLLAFSIBLE GOLF CART Filed m 14, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN. TOR.

H. R. SUTPH/EN' 2,438,078 GOLLAPSIBLE GOLF CART I Filed Aug; 14, 1944 4 Sheet-Shept s INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE GOLF CART Henry R. Sutphen, New York, N. Y. Application A gust 14, 1944, Serial No. 549,421 7 Claims. (01. 280-36) This invention relates to golf carts, i. e. carts for transporting golf clubs and other equipment over a golf course in playing the game.

My invention is directed to the provision of such a cart which, at the same time, provides a seat for rest during opponents play, which is of light weight, constructabie mainly of wood, and which, when out of use, is readily collapsible for easy carrying, for stowage in the luggage compartment of an automobile, and for storing. Moreover, the golf cart of my invention is so constructed as to provide adjustability to dispose the center of gravity of the load to best advantage for facilitating travel of the cart, and other subsidiary features which will be made point of as this description proceeds. I also provide an improved golf club container, particularly adapted for use with the cart, and possessing certain advantages over the usual golf bag, as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a. side elevational View of a cart embodying the primary features of my invention, shown as used for transporting an ordinary bag of golf clubs;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same cart, taken from a rear angle and on a somewhat larger scale, and showing the improved golf club container of my invention mounted thereon;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the golf club container shown in Figure 3, taken from approximately the same angle;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the golf club container shown in Figures 3 and 4, taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6-is a perspective view of the cart in its collapsed condition;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view of the hub of one of the wheels and the means for removably mounting the same upon the axle;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the plane of line 8-8 of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure l, but illustrating two added features;

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the assembly shown in Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of the modified seat mounting of Figures 9 and 10,

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2:

I have shown the cart of my invention, by way of example, as comprising a main frame In, a wheel and seat frame II, and a handle frame l2. The main frame it comprises parallel upright side bars l3, preferably of wood, to the inner face of each of which, adjacent its lower end, is secured a block H. A cross member I 5, formed of a board of substantial width and fitting between the lower ends of bars I3, I3. is secured to the lower ends of the blocks l4, It, with its flat under face substantially flush with the lower ends of the bars l3, IS. A platform It, also preferably of wood, is secured upon the upper ends of the blocks I4, I, and extends rearward beyond bars I3, 13, the forward portion of platform I 6 fitting between bars l3. Two opposed upstanding arcuate flanges or rims l1, II, also preferably of wood, are secured to platform is on the upper face of the platform It adjacent the front and the rear thereof, respectively, for reception between them of the lower end of a golf bag resting upon the platform, as will be seen more fully presently.

The wheel and seat frame I l is also constructed of wood and comprises two parallel side bars l8, [8, which straddle the side bars l3, l3 of main frame l0 and are pivoted thereto, at about midlength, by means of the pivot pins I9, l9. An axle 20, preferably of steel, is suitably mounted through the side bars I8, l8, adjacent the rearward ends thereof, with itsend portions projecting laterally outward therebeyond, Rubber tired wheels 2|, 2! of ordinary construction, are mounted upon the Projecting end Portions of shaft 20, upon which they are retained by means permitting ready demounting thereof, as shown in Figures '7 and 8. An arcuate retainer 22, shaped to fit about the lower portion of axle 20, is secured upon the lower end of a pin 23, passing through a corresponding cross opening in the axle and having at its upper end a head 24, between which and axle 20 a compression spring 25 is disposed. Spring 25 normally holds member 22 in its raised position, with its channel element 26, at its outer end, engaging about flange 21 on hub 28 of the wheel 2|. It will be seen that the wheel 2| is thus retained upon axle 20, while permitting free rotation thereof, and that by depressing pin 23, and with it member 22, the channel element 26 is moved downward to clear the flange 21, permitting ready removal of the wheel from the axle.

A block 30 is secured to the outer face of each of the side bars I 3 of main frame l0, these blocks having their lower ends disposed for contact by the upper edges of side bars l8, 48, of the wheel and seat frame II, when the cart is set up as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Preferably, small blocks 3|, 3| are secured upon the upper edges of bars l6, l8, disposed to contact the lower rearward corners of blocks 30, 36, for further reinforcing the frame structure and taking up foreand-aft thrust.

Blocks 32, 32, of triangular shape, are disposed at the inner sides of the side bars 18, adjacent the upper or forward ends thereof, each of these blocks being pivoted to its bar l6 by nut-andbolt means 33 and extending rearwardly therefrom. A wood seat 34 is secured to the upper edges of the blocks 32, 32, the latter being cut away or rabbeted at the lower portion of their outer faces to provide stop shoulders 35, 35, which rest upon the inner portions of the upper edges of bars 18, 16, when the cart is set up with the seat 34 in position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. With the cart resting on the rubber-tired wheels and the cross member 15, the seat is at proper height for a person to sit thereon, and,

Y lying directly over the cross member, is in stable position. The cross member also forms a convenient foot rest. and prevents digging into the turf by the lower ends of the bars l3, l3.

The handle structure I2 is in the form of a rectangular frame comprising side bars 36, 36, fitting at their lower end portions between the upper end portions of the side bars l3, l3 of frame i6, and pivoted to the latter bars, at the upper ends thereof, by bolt-and-nut means 31, 31, located a short distance above the lower ends of bars 36, 36. A handle rod 38 is secured between bars 36, 36 at the upper ends thereof, and a cross brace, in the form of a fiat bar 39, is secured between bars 38, 36, a short distance below the handle rod 38. The side bars 36 are of increased width at their lower end portions, as at 46, and receive, between their lower ends, a cross bar 4| suitably secured thereto. A contact plate 42 is secured to the outer face of each bar 36 at the lower end thereof. A steel rod 43 passes through the side bars I3, l3 of the main frame, near the lower end of the handle structure l2, this rod having at one end a head 44, seating on a washer 45 contacting the outer face of one of the bars 13, and projecting at its other end outwardly beyond the other bar 13, being there threaded for the reception of a wing clamping nut 45 bearing on a washer 46 contacting the outer face of the bar 13. It will be seen that, when the clamping nut is loose, the handle frame l2 may be adjusted to any desired angle relative to the main frame l6, and that, by tightening the clamping nut the two frames may be locked in any desired relative position, for the purpose of bringing the handle 38 to preferred height and of balancing the cart when resting alone on the wheels, to best advantage dependent upon theload.

Straps 48 and 46 are suitably secured at their ends, as at 56, to the lower end portions 46 of bars 36, 36, of the handle frame, these straps being adapted to be buckled, as at 5|, about a golf bag 52 resting obliquely against the cross bar 4! and standing at its lower end upon the platform 16 between the flanges or rims I1, l1. Depending upon the player, there may be few or many clubs in the bag, and, by adjusting the handle frame 12 about its pivots, as before described, the bag and its contents may be tilted to the angle which will dispose the center of gravity of the load to best advantage so as to assure ease in handling of the cart. The golf bag, thus strapped in place, may also be used asaback rest.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, I have shown a golf 16 in Figures 9 and 11, and triangular blocks 16,

58 and 59, 59 may be separated by vertical and 4 club container 53, of rigid construction, substituted for the bag 52 of Figure 1. This container 53 may be constructed of any suitable light material, preferably plywood. and is of generally prismatic shape, comprising front wall 54, side walls 55, 55, back wall 56, and bottom 51. Within the container 53, vertical partition walls 58 and 59, 59, respectively, extend from the bottom 51 to the top, defining. within the container, compartment space at the middle rear and a substantially U-shaped surrounding space 60. A top plate 6|, of substantially U-shape, is sultably secured to the upper end of the container in overlying relation to space 66 thereof, and is provided adjacent each side with a series of openings 62, 62, and in its forward portion with two openings 63, 63 of oblong shape. The openings 62 receive the shafts of the wood clubs and the openings 63 receive the shafts of the shorter iron clubs, the club shafts extending downward within space 60 and resting upon bottom 51 of the container. In that manner, the heads of the woods are supported out of contact with each other and with the heads of the irons and, if desired, the usual mittens for the woods may here be omitted. The partition space within the walls horizontal partitions into compartments for reception of golfing accessories, access to such compartments being provided by a door 64, hinged to back wall 56, and a, cover 65 hinged at its forward edge to top plate 6|.

I have described the cart of my invention so far with reference to its use in its set up condition. When not in use, the cart may readily be folded for transport or storage. In folding the cart, after removal of the golf club bag or container, the seat 34, with its blocks 32, is swung upward and forward, about pivot 33, and frame H is then turned counter-clockwise (as viewed in Figure 1) about its pivots I9 toward parallelism with the main frame In, with axle 20 dis-. posed beneath platform I6, and seat 34 extending upward alongside frame in. The handle structure I2 is then turned downward and rearward about its pivots 31, into position alongside main frame 10, in which position it may be locked by the wing nut 45. Folded in this manner, the cart presents a compact bundle which may readily be carried by hand, or, if desired, may be wheeled on the wheels 2|, the cross bar 4| then being positioned to serve as a handle; if desired, the wheels 2| may be removed from the axle 26, in the manner previ ously described, and disposed in the folded cart; all as shown in Figure 6.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11, int which the reference characters of the precedin figur'es are carried over so far as may be:

The chief modification illustrated in these fur ther figures lies in separately pivoting the sea supporting means and the wheel supportin means. In this instance the seat 34 is fixed 0 two arms 66, 66, mounted upon the respectiv side bars l3, l3 by means of the coaxial pivot 61, 61. The wheel frame comprises the two arm 68, 68 mounted upon the respective side bars I I3 by means of the coaxial pivots 63, 69, thes latter pivots being distanced down from th pivots 61,61. The axle 26 is mounted in th lower ends of these arms 66, 68, in the same man ner that the axle 26 is mounted in the lower en of the bars l8, l8, of the previous figure. arms 66, 66 are shaped to an angle, as lllustrat are secured, respectively, to the side bars l3, l3, as shown, so as to be operatively engaged, at their lower edges,'by the arms 68, 68, and, at their upper edges, by the arms 66, 66. This enables the Wheel frame to be swung downwardly to collapse the cart, independently of the seat frame, and enables the seat frame to be swung, independently of the wheel frame, and while the cart is in operative condition, upwardl against the golf bag or container in the event that use of the seat is not desired.

These further Figures 9, and 11 also show another feature, in the provision of means for holding the golf bag 52 in place on the cart. The main frame Ill is provided with cross pieces II and 12, near the top and bottom, respectively, and the golf bag is provided with a flap 13 on its rear side near the top and a flap 14 on its front side near the bottom, which flaps can be secured to the cross pieces ll and 12, respectively, by means of snaps 15, 15.

It will be seen that" the cart of my invention is of such character that it may be constructed mainly of wood, with a view to lightweight, while possessing adequate mechanical strength, though it will be understood that it may be constructed of any suitable material. It will also be understood that the precise construction which I have described in detail is set forth as an example and that changes in such details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a golf cart, a wheeled structure including a downwardly and forwardly inclined main frame, a platform carried by said main frame at its lower end, adapted to receive the bottom of a golf club container, a handle frame pivoted to said main frame adjacent the upper end thereof adjustable to various desired positions about its pivot axis in the use of said cart, a cross member on said handle frame adjustable therewith disposed to contact a golf club container resting on said platform, for adjusting the center of gravity of the load, and means for locking said handle frame in adjustment about its pivot axis.

2. In a golf cart, 2. a downwardly and forwardly inclined main frame, a platform carried by said main frame at its lower end, adapted to receive the bottom of a golf club container, a handle frame pivoted to said main frame adjacent the upper end thereof, a cross member on said handle frame, below its pivot axis, disposed to contact a golf club container resting on said platform, for adjusting the center of gravity of the load, and means for looking said handle frame in adjustment about its pivot axis.

3. In a golf cart, a structure comprising a downwardly and forwardly inclined main frame and an upwardly and forwardly inclined seat frame disposed in straddling relation to and projecting forwardly of said main frame, means connecting said frames and restraining said seat frame against downward movement at its forward end relative to said main frame, ground wheels carried by one of said frames rearward thereof, a seat carried by said seat frame at the forward end thereof, overlying the lower end of said main frame, a platform on said main frame at its lower end, adapted to receive the bottom of a golf club container, a handle frame pivoted to said main frame adjacent the upper end thereof, a cross member on said handle frame disposed to contact a golf club container resting on said platwheeled structure including 6 for adjusting the center of gravity of the load. and means for locking said handle frame in adjustment about its pivot axis.

4. In a golf cart, a structure comprising a main frame and a seat frame disposed in straddling relation, pivoted together intermediate their ends alongside said main frame, removable ground wheels carried by said seat frame at the rearward end thereof, a seat pivoted to the forward end of said seat frame, movable relative thereto into a substantially horizontal 5. In a. golf cart, a structure comprising a main frame having side bars and a seat frame having side bars straddling and pivoted intermediate their ends to the side bars of said main frame intermediate the ends of the latter bars, stop means limiting pivotal movement of said frames said seat frame at the rearward end thereof, a seat pivoted to the forward end of said seat frame, movable relative thereto into a substantially horizontal operative position overlying the forward end of said main frame and into a folded position substantially parallel with said main to the upper end of said main frame.

6. In a golf cart, a structure comprising a main frame having side bars and a seat frame having side bars straddling and pivoted intermediate said frames in their latter positions being substantially parallel and in their operaber of considerable area extending between the forward ends of the bars of said main frame, and a, handle structure attached to the upper end of said main frame.

2,4as,ova

7. In a golf cart, a structure comprising a main frame having side bars and a seat frame having side bars straddling and pivoted intermediate their ends to the side bars of said main frame intermediate the ends of the latter bars, stop means limiting pivotal movement of said frames to unfolded operative positions and folded inoperative positions, said frames in their latter positions being substantially parallel and in their operative positions being disposed with said main frame at a downward and forward inclination and said seat frame at an upward and forward inclination, ground wheels mounted on said seat frame at the rearward end thereof, a seat pivoted to the forward end of said seat frame movable relative thereto into a substantially horizontal operative position overlying the forward end of said main frame and into a folded position substantially parallel with said main frame, stop means restraining pivotal movement of said seat beyond its operative position, a flat ground contacting member of considerable area extending between the forward ends of the bars of said main frame, a platform carried by and extending rearward of said main frame above said ground contacting member for supporting the lower end of a golf club container, a handle frame comprisin side bars extending between and pivoted to the side bars of said main frame adjacent the upper end thereof, a cross bar on said handle frame below its pivot axis, disposed to contact a golf club 8 container resting on said platform for adjusting the center of gravity of the load, and means for locking said handle frame in adjustment about its pivot axis.

HENRY R. BUTPHEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references-are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 642,210 Deutesfeld Jan. 30, 1900 1,482,146 Pomilio Jan. 29, 1924 1,718,962 Kimball July 2, 1929 1,855,567 Brown Apr. 26, 1932 1,956,008 Deibel Apr, 24, 1934 1,960,862 Baldwin May 29, 1934 2,003,733 Bishop June 4, 1935 2,061,623 Guy Nov. 24, 1936 2,073,114 Martin et al. Mar. 9, 1937 2,210,632 Perrill Aug. 6, 1940 2,236,053 Caron Mar. 25, 1941 2,326,482 Moffltt Aug, 10, 1943 2,335,579 Chamberlin et al. Nov. 30. 1943 2,359,870 Moreland Oct. 10, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 335,942 France Dec. 22, 1903 418,701 Great Britain Oct. 30, 1934 

